Regulator Assembly Tips

[SwimsLikeRock]

I got some new gear for my birthday - new regs, guages, BCD. Thing is, they came unassembled. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined and the instructions seem pretty straight-forward but I've never really worked on scuba gear before. Seems pretty simple to screw the various hoses to the 1st stage but... Any tips on potential gotchas, things to look out for, mistakes not to make, etc. before I "dive in"???

 

[divad]

Don't cross-thread or strip anything.

 

[Rocketmahn]

Don't put low pressure accessories on the high pressure port?

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

When attaching hoses, don't over-tighten. The o-rings make the seal, not torque. So in most instances, just a smidge beyond hand tight is enough! Use the shortest-handled wrench you own, and just a couple fingers on the wrench to tighten.

Have fun!

 

[herman]

Install the hoses with your fingers only until they tighten, then snugg them. They should install very easily up to the point the Oring snuggs up, if not something is wrong. Use the proper wrench, not an adjustable and for heavens sakes not a pair of pliers to do the final tightening. The HP port(s) is(are) usually marked HP but in any case it will be 7/16 diameter as opposed to the 3/8 (or less common 1/2) LP ports.
Since it's a new reg, it will not be an issue but FYI, on most older regs BOTH the HP and LP were 3/8's. A mistake could be interesting on those regs.

 

[Packhorse]

There is no top or bottom of the 1st stage. Mount it on the tank and route the hoses in the best way you can. Even if the 1st stage is sideways.

 

[SwimsLikeRock]

Don't cross-thread or strip anything.

Who'd have thunk?

Don't put low pressure accessories on the high pressure port?

Good tip. :blinking:

When attaching hoses, don't over-tighten.

Install the hoses with your fingers only until they tighten, then snugg them.

A theme here. Thank you.

There is no top or bottom of the 1st stage. Mount it on the tank and route the hoses in the best way you can.

Hmmm... Something to think about. Thanks.

 

[Solly]

When attaching hoses, don't over-tighten. The o-rings make the seal, not torque. So in most instances, just a smidge beyond hand tight is enough! Use the shortest-handled wrench you own, and just a couple fingers on the wrench to tighten.

Have fun!

Install the hoses with your fingers only until they tighten, then snugg them. They should install very easily up to the point the Oring snuggs up, if not something is wrong. Use the proper wrench, not an adjustable and for heavens sakes not a pair of pliers to do the final tightening.

These are very good notes, I did my reg assembly just by hand with no tools an thought it was enough, however it gave me some hard time and wet breathe, just slightly tightening with the appropriate size tool (not adjustable and not a pair of pliers) it was all ok.. good luck

 

[SwimsLikeRock]

In addition to the great information I got here, I found a whole bunch of instructional videos from Scuba.com including this particularly apropos one on regulator assembly.